Forum Discussion

nadsab's avatar
nadsab
Explorer
May 30, 2013

Replacing shades in RV picture windows; suggestions?

It's time to replace the nasty old spring loaded shades on our large picture windows in our rv. These were original equipment garden variety spring loaded shades my wife hates them.

I would like to replace them with blinds but my wife does not like blinds so she was thinking about either buying or making curtains and putting one of those spring loaded curtain rods in place of the shade.

Any suggestions on this from both the women and men of the motorhome-house?

I told her I thought curtains would be blowing around at night when the windows are open, and thought they would need to be weighted down in the lower seams she has no problem sewing them in.

For blinds, (or curtains) any suggestions as to where we could buy them? Or any other window treatment solutions ideas?

I am going to show my wife this thread in about a day – maybe over the weekend - so what ever gets the most votes I think we will do – problem is we are leaving for a 5 day long weekend trip a week from tomorrow so I am thinking it will take her time to do the sewing if that is what she wants to do.
Class C
  • Cougarnewbie's avatar
    Cougarnewbie
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    The day nite shades behind our table was a pain to raise or lower. my wife used a spring loaded rod and found curtains that matched our trim. We can reach over and pull them sideways and use a tie back to keep them from blowing around. Best idea ever.
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    If you use a heavy enough material and weights the curtains won't blow in the wind. We did this on a TT we had.

    On our current 5th wheel we have mini-blinds.

    Many RVers are using the day night shades. You can see through them in one position for daytime. Change the position and the view is blocked for night time privacy.
  • snowdance's avatar
    snowdance
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    blinds.. Home Depot will Cut to size will keep the sun out and Curtains that please you..
  • wrvond's avatar
    wrvond
    Explorer II
    May 31, 2013
    The heat and UV from the sun will cause mini-blinds to sag and become brittle. They also collect dirt and dust easily. Day/night shades are attractive, but can block air flow. Curtains, especially weighted ones, will sway with the movement of the camper. I much prefer using the spring loaded rollers and attaching my own fabric based shades to them.
  • Bordercollie's avatar
    Bordercollie
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    Does anybody make mini-shutters for RV windows? The full sized ones work great in our house windows.
  • snowdance's avatar
    snowdance
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    wrvond wrote:
    The heat and UV from the sun will cause mini-blinds to sag and become brittle. They also collect dirt and dust easily. Day/night shades are attractive, but can block air flow. Curtains, especially weighted ones, will sway with the movement of the camper. I much prefer using the spring loaded rollers and attaching my own fabric based shades to them.


    They make the blinds in plastic or metal. We use metal blinds. Just a few bucks more and and no sag and not brittle. Most because we can get some light but not the sun. We live in an area where we have clear sunny days most of the summer. Home Depot will cut them to fit and no extra charge.
    We too have used the roll up shades and made them of material as you can get light blocking ect.
  • nadsab's avatar
    nadsab
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2013
    This is the wife typing.. I prefer making curtains on a spring loaded rod. "He" wants fabric on the spring loaded shade rod. I think the fabric would fold and buckle as it is being wound up. Any suggestions anyone else has for ease of making?

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